The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 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 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
