The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents 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 pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead 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, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, 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 locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
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 recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
