Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.

Securing Top Spot

The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.

A Nervy Finish

The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.

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

The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.