The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 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 Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move 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 team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt 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 comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
