THE Super Eagles of Nigeria held off a Tunisia fightback in Fez tonight to win 3-2 and qualify for the round of 16 of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman gave the Super Eagles what looked like an unassailable lead, but they were hanging on for dear life in the end as Tunisia pulled two goals back.
Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi struck late to ensure a nervy ending to a game in which the Super Eagles had looked in total control.
After missing two clear chances which he headed over, Osimhen opened the scoring for the Super Eagles one minute from half-time, nodding home from a pinpoint delivery from the lively Lookman.
The Super Eagles were dominant in the first half and went into the break with a fully deserved 1-0 lead.
Eric Chelle’s side picked up where they left off in the second half, and it was soon 2-0.
Atalanta forward Lookman was involved in the next goal too, taking the corner five minutes into the restart that Ndidi rose highest to head past the Tunisia goalkeeper, who got a touch but could not keep the ball out.
The Super Eagles extended their lead even further in the 67th minute through Lookman, who drilled home from a clever Osimhen cutback after a fluid team move.
Tunisia, who had been passive for most of the encounter, came to life late and almost pulled off a monumental comeback.
They reduced the deficit to two goals in the 74th minute, as Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick found Talbi, who headed past Stanley Nwabali.
Super Eagles head coach Chelle then made the baffling decision to take off Frank Onyeka, who was the heart of his side’s central midfield defensively, and Akor Adams for wingers Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Tunisia took control from that point on, but it took a controversial decision to get them their second goal.
A penalty was harshly awarded for handball against Bright Osayi-Samuel after a VAR review, and Abdi slammed the spot kick past Nwabali with three minutes left of regulation time.
Despite seven additional minutes, the Super Eagles held on to win and take their tally to six points from two games, guaranteeing passage into the round of 16.