Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C 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 close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.