The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
