The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
