The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer 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 referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
