The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow 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 being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
