Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
