Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents 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 clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.