The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
