Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore 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 comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
