The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback

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

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.

The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.

A Nervy Finish

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.

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

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.

The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.

Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.