The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
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 avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
