Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team 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 a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot 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 stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
