Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally 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 in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
