The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback

Nigeria weathered 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 Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.

However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.

Clinching First Place

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.

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

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.

The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.