The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
