Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
