The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
