Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to 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, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
