Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage 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 the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
