The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.