The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
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.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
