The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
