The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
