The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
