Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.