The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
