The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place 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 final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
