The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
