Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
