Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
