The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 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 Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team 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 after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.