The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia 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 cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
