Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.

Securing Top Spot

This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.

In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside 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 advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.

The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.