The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived 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 pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
