Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period 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 header into the far post from an Atalanta winger 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.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
