The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone 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 powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
