Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived 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 seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
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 Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
