The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
