The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback

Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.

In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.

The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.

Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.