Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 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 pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
