The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance 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 encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender 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 given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
