Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
