The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic 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 Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
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 sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
