Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.

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

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.

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

The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.