The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
