Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
