Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic 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 Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
