Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
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 Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
