Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
