Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
