Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents 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 Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
