Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended 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, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
