The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.