Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort 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 Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, 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 enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
