Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
