The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
