Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
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.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
