Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, 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 video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
