Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals 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 drama intensified when the North Africans were given 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 create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
