Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents 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 clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing 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 secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
