Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt 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 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place 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 the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group 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 matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
