Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
