Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress 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 Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
