Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder 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 steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
