The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
