The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived 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 seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
