Nigeria Advances to Last 16 of Africa Cup of Nations After Narrow Win Over Tunisia
Nigeria secured a place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after fending off a late challenge from Tunisia.
The Super Eagles were comfortably ahead in their Group C match in Fes, leading 3-0 with just 17 minutes remaining, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. However, Tunisia's Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick.
In a dramatic turn of events, Tunisia was awarded a penalty following a video assistant referee review for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted the penalty in the 87th minute, intensifying the final moments of the match.
The Carthage Eagles nearly leveled the score in stoppage time when captain Ferjani Sassi's header went narrowly wide. There was still time for Ismael Gharbi to miss a volley, which bobbled past the post.
With this victory, Nigeria now has six points and is guaranteed to finish at the top of Group C with a game remaining. They will face a third-placed team from Group A, B, or F in the knockout stage.
Tunisia, on the other hand, remains with three points, while Uganda and Tanzania each have one point after their earlier 1-1 draw.
The Super Eagles will stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday at 16:00 GMT, while Tunisia will head back to Rabat to face Tanzania at the same time.