Nigeria secured qualification to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after holding off a dramatic late comeback from Tunisia in their Group C clash in Fes.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising after taking a 3–0 lead with 17 minutes remaining, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Tunisia mounted a spirited fightback that turned the closing stages into a tense affair.
Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, before Tunisia were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted confidently in the 87th minute to make it 3–2 and set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia nearly completed a remarkable comeback in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading narrowly wide and Ismael Gharbi firing a bobbling volley just past the post.
The win moves three-time champions Nigeria onto six points, guaranteeing top spot in Group C with a game to spare. They will now face a third-placed team from Group A, B or F in the knockout stage.
Tunisia remain on three points, while Uganda and Tanzania each have one point after drawing 1–1 earlier on Saturday. Nigeria will stay in Fes to face Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel to Rabat to take on Tanzania, with both matches kicking off at 16:00 GMT.
Despite the nervy ending, Nigeria became the second team, after Egypt, to book a place in the knockout rounds. The Super Eagles had looked comfortable for much of the match, building on their narrow opening win over Tanzania, while Tunisia had begun the tournament with an emphatic victory over Uganda.
Osimhen had an earlier goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring just before half-time, steering a well-placed header into the bottom corner from Lookman’s cross. Ndidi doubled the lead shortly after the break, powering home a header from Lookman’s corner for his first international goal.
Lookman then added a third after being set up by Osimhen, but Tunisia refused to surrender. Talbi’s header and Abdi’s penalty gave the Carthage Eagles renewed hope, though their late surge ultimately fell short.
Tunisia remain well placed to progress, with a draw against Tanzania enough to secure qualification. Their coach, Sami Trabelsi, will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 tournament, when a group-stage exit led to his resignation.
