Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting 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 sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
