Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
