Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress 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, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
