The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
