Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
