The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.