Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
