Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
