Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing 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 play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
