The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
