The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining 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, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated 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 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
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.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.