The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
