Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
