Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally 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 appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.