Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
