The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback

Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.

Clinching Top Spot

This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.

The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

A Nervy Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen 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 bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.