Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, 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 effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
