Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
