Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw 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 the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
