The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance 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 Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
