Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become 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 conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
