The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.