Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations 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 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite 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 point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
