Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
