Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt 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 seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although 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 own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
