Nigeria attain Afcon final 16 regardless of Tunisia fightback

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Nigeria 3 - 2 Tunisia FT

Former African Footballer of the Yr Victor Osimhen (proper) helped Nigeria right into a 3-0 lead, however the Tremendous Eagles have been compelled to carry on for victory late on [Getty Images]

Nigeria held off a late Tunisia fightback to achieve the final 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.

The Tremendous Eagles led the Group C encounter in Fes 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining via objectives from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman earlier than Montassar Talbi's header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick pulled one again for the North Africans.

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Tunisia have been then given a late penalty, following a video assistant referee (VAR) overview, for a handball by Vibrant Osayi-Samuel and Ali Abdi transformed within the 87th minute to arrange a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles got here near a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when captain Ferjani Sassi headed narrowly huge, and there was nonetheless time for Ismael Gharbi to bobble a volley previous the submit.

Victory means three-time Afcon winners Nigeria transfer on to 6 factors and are assured prime spot in Group C with a recreation to spare, and can face a third-placed facet from Group A, B or F within the subsequent spherical.

Tunisia stay on three factors with Uganda and Tanzania on one level apiece after the East African rivals drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday.

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The Tremendous Eagles stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday (16:00 GMT), with Tunisia returning to Rabat to face Tanzania on the identical time.

Tunisia virtually burst Nigeria bubble Ali Abdi smashed residence from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of some extent [Getty Images]

Nigeria, Afcon runners-up in 2023, be part of Egypt because the second facet via to the knockout stage, however each coach Eric Chelle and their supporters will really feel relieved after what regarded set to be a snug final quarter of an hour was a nervy end.

Each side had received their opener in Morocco, with Tunisia cruising previous Uganda and Nigeria edging previous the Tanzanians in a hard-fought encounter.

Osimhen had a objective dominated out for offside earlier than the Tremendous Eagles striker opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header between two Tunisian defenders and into the bottom-right nook from Lookman's inviting left-wing cross.

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The Tremendous Eagles doubled their benefit early within the second half, as Ndidi picked an excellent time to attain his first worldwide objective when he rose highest to energy residence a header from Lookman's nook.

Osimhen teed up former England youth worldwide Lookman for the third, however Talbi steered his header previous Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to cut back the deficit.

Tunisia have been handed a lifeline when a looping cross dropped onto the forearm of Osayi-Samuel, and Malian referee Boubou Traore awarded a spot-kick after being despatched to his pitchside monitor by VAR.

Abdi smashed residence, however the 2004 champions in the end fell in need of a stirring comeback.

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Tunisia stay properly positioned to affix the West Africans within the subsequent spherical, with a draw towards Tanzania sufficient to progress - and their supervisor Sami Trabelsi shall be eager to keep away from a repeat of the 2013 Afcon, when a group-stage exit in the end led to his resignation as coach.

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