Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
