Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
