Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia 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 clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
