The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
