Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.