The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance 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 pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
