Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
