Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
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 Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
