The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
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 awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, 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.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage 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 third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
