Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance 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 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon 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 his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
