Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 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 pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw 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 the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
