Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
