Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
