The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
