The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
