The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish 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 knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
