Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.