Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross 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, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
