The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
