Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
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 avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
