Nigeria survived a late Tunisia resurgence to secure passage into the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Eagles were cruising in the Group C clash in Fes, leading 3-0 with 17 minutes left after goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman before Montassar Talbi nodded home from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick to reduce the deficit for the North Africans.
Tunisia were later awarded a late penalty, after a video assistant referee check, for a handball against Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ali Abdi calmly converted in the 87th minute to spark a tense finish.
The Carthage Eagles nearly grabbed a dramatic equaliser in added time when captain Ferjani Sassi’s header flashed just wide, and there was still an opportunity for Ismael Gharbi as his volley bounced past the post.
The win lifts Nigeria to six points and confirms top spot in Group C with one match remaining, and they will meet a third-placed team from Group A, B or F in the knockout stage.
Tunisia stay on three points, while Uganda and Tanzania have one point each after the East African neighbours played out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The Super Eagles stay in Fes to face Uganda on Tuesday (16:00 GMT), while Tunisia head back to Rabat to take on Tanzania at the same time.
