Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
