Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 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 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to 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 turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team 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 fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early 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 seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
