Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents 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 clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
