The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second 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 final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
