Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting 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 Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
