The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
