Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender 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 the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
