The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
