Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
