The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
