The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 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 high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
