Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered 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 appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
