The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
