The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
