Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia 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 pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
