The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
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 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
