The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
