Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third 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 Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
