The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
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 comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
