Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining 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 Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny 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 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.