The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, 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 last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
