The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
