Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
