The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
