The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs 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 tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
