The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
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 key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
