The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, 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 late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
