The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.