The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
