Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia 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 clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny 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 repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
