Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
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.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
