The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
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 Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
