Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
