The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left 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, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender 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 pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
