Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
