Nigeria held off a late Tunisia fightback to reach the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.
The Super Eagles led the Group C encounter in Fes 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining through goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman before Montassar Talbi’s header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick pulled one back for the North Africans.
Tunisia were then given a late penalty, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came close to a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when captain Ferjani Sassi headed narrowly wide, and there was still time for Ismael Gharbi to bobble a volley past the post.
Victory means three-time Afcon winners Nigeria move on to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a game to spare, and will face a third-placed side from Group A, B or F in the next round.
Tunisia remain on three points with Uganda and Tanzania on one point apiece after the East African rivals drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday.
The Super Eagles remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday (16:00 GMT), with Tunisia returning to Rabat to face Tanzania at the same time.
Nigeria, Afcon runners-up in 2023, join Egypt as the second side through to the knockout stage, but both coach Eric Chelle and their supporters will feel relieved after what looked set to be a comfortable last quarter of an hour turned into a nervy finish.
Both sides had won their opener in Morocco, with Tunisia cruising past Uganda and Nigeria edging past the Tanzanians in a hard-fought encounter.
Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before the Super Eagles striker opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header between two Tunisian defenders and into the bottom-right corner from Lookman’s inviting left-wing cross.
The Super Eagles doubled their advantage early in the second half, as Ndidi picked a good time to score his first international goal when he rose highest to power home a header from Lookman’s corner.
Osimhen teed up former England youth international Lookman for the third, but Talbi steered his header past Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to reduce the deficit.
Tunisia were handed a lifeline when a looping cross dropped onto the forearm of Osayi-Samuel, and Malian referee Boubou Traore awarded a spot-kick after being sent to his pitchside monitor by VAR.
Abdi smashed home, but the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of a stirring comeback.
Tunisia remain well placed to join the West Africans in the next round, with a draw against Tanzania enough to progress – and their manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 Afcon, when a group-stage exit ultimately led to his resignation as coach.
By BBC Sports
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