Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.

The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.