The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
