Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
