Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
