The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt 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 seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to 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 set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
