Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
