The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
