Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
