The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
