The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia 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 pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still 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 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
