Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
