Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become 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 morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
