The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face 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 one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
