Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
