Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans 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 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
