Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.