The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
