The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
