The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles 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 being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
