Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance 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 pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
