The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
