Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early 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, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
