The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
