The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three 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 the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for 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 nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
