The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally 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 in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header 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 check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, 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.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
