Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
