The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance 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 encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
