Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning 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 Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot 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, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer 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 reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.