Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought 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.
The Super Eagles 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 Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
