The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
