The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage 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 encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
