The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress 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, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
