Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
