The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm 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 fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
