The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans 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 ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
