The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
