The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
