The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.