Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
