The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic 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 appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to 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 drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
