Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
