The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
