Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
