Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post 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 set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
