Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
