The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback

Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.

However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.

The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.