Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 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, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
