Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
