Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally 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 clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm 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 recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
