Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
