Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of 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 tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
