Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
