Osimhen shines as Nigeria hold off Tunisia comeback to advance to knockout phase
Victor Osimhen delivered a standout performance as Nigeria secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds, following Egypt, by withstanding a fierce late push from Tunisia to claim a 3-2 victory in Fes on Saturday.
The Super Eagles appeared comfortable with a 3-0 advantage, courtesy of strikes from Osimhen, skipper Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman.
However, Tunisia battled relentlessly in this crucial Group C encounter at the summit, with Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi netting to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia twice threatened to draw level during seven added minutes, yet a header from skipper Ferjani Sassi and a effort from replacement Ismael Gharbi missed the mark.
Nigeria now sit on six points, Tunisia on three, while Tanzania and Uganda each have one, ahead of Tuesdays final group fixtures.
This clash marked the seventh AFCON meeting between the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles.
Nigeria have triumphed three times, Tunisia once, with two other encounters decided by penalties, each side prevailing in one.
Following a lacklustre performance in their narrow opening win over Tanzania, Nigeria transformed into a dominant force against Tunisia, controlling the opening half-hour in the northern Moroccan city.
Osimhen excelled, especially in the air, as Tunisia struggled to counter the three-time champions persistent attacks.
The Galatasaray forward, donning his signature mask, nodded narrowly over after nine minutes and nearly connected with a corner shortly afterwards.
Osimhen found the net on 17 minutes, but an offside call correctly disallowed it, with replays confirming the 2023 African footballer of the year had moved prematurely.
Frustrated Mejbri
Tunisia playmaker Hannibal Mejbri was fortunate to avoid a booking for dissent after furiously spiking the ball following a Nigerian opponents improper throw-in.
Osimhen sent another header astray, then briefly stepped off the field for medical attention on his leg with a spray treatment.
Tunisia emerged from their defensive posture on 32 minutes, earning a corner that looped back to Abdi, whose attempt sailed high.
Further Tunisian forays yielded nothing, until the 44th minute when Osimhen, as expected, broke the impasse.
The strike featured two past African players of the year, 2024 recipient Lookman providing the cross for Osimhen to leap between Abdi and Talbi and power a header home.
Five minutes into the second period, Nigeria doubled their lead, again highlighting Tunisias frailties from set-pieces.
Atalanta forward Lookman orchestrated it once more, delivering a corner that Ndidi rose to meet, outjumping keeper Aymen Dahmen for his debut international goal.
Having assisted the previous pair, Lookman added his own on 67 minutes, fed by Osimhen, taking a touch inside the area before rifling it off the upright and in.
Tunisia responded with 16 minutes to go, at last winning an aerial battle as Talbi headed in a Mejbri free-kick.
This sparked a turnaround, Tunisia seizing momentum and adding a second three minutes from time via Abdis penalty, confirmed by VAR after Bright Samuel was penalised for handball.