Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria 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, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
