Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
