The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on 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 pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
