The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
