The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
