Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group 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 Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
