Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.