The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback

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

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.

Clinching First Place

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Finish

The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.

The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.

The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.