Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, 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 powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
