The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed 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 lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
