Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of 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 turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee 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.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
