The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, 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 conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
