Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching 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 supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
