The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
