The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured 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 one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, 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 nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
