Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit 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 spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
