The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
