Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
