Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash 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.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
