The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three 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 fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
