The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
