Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding 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 face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
