Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
