The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
