The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement 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 lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.