Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought 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 the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group 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 pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
