The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
