The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, 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 completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
