Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
