Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.