Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt 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 seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.