Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
