The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi'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 draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
