The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review 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 leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
