The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
