The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
