The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, 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, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
