Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former 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 win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
