Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
