Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
