The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback

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

The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.

Clinching Top Spot

This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

A Nervy Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.