Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.

The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.

Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.

The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.

The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.