Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
