The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
