Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia 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 Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead 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 Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort 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 advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains 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.
