The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 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 the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
