The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
