Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
