Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they 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 being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
