The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
