Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
