The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally 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 cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
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 far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
