Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
