Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance 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 pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
