Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 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 taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
