Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 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 clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
