Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback

Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.

Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.