Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each 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 Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside 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 period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
