Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans 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 frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
