The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
