Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance 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 encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
