Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding 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 the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
