The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
