The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point 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 resulted in his previous resignation.