Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of 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, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
