The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
