Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
