The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions 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.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
