The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
