The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
