The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
