Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
