The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing 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 rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
