The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage 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 clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
