The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C 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 remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
