Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back 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 directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
