Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally 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 cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
