The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt 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 cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
