Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
