The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront 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.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
