The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia 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 pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
