The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded 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 set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
