The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified 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 dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of 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 the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
