The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans 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 offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
