Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
