The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes 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 recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
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 remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
