Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
