The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.