Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
