The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
