The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder 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 the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
