The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal 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 cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
