Tunisia mounted a breathtaking late comeback but ultimately fell just short, losing 3-2 to Nigeria in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash in Fes. Trailing by three goals with under 20 minutes to play, the Carthage Eagles summoned tremendous spirit, scoring twice and coming within inches of a stunning equalizer in stoppage time.
Tunisia mounted a breathtaking late comeback but ultimately fell just short, losing 3-2 to Nigeria in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash in Fes. Trailing by three goals with under 20 minutes to play, the Carthage Eagles summoned tremendous spirit, scoring twice and coming within inches of a stunning equalizer in stoppage time.
The match seemed to be slipping away from Tunisia after Nigeria established a commanding 3-0 lead through Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. However, the North African side refused to capitulate. Their fightback began in the 73rd minute when defender Montassar Talbi rose to powerfully head home a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, injecting belief into the Tunisian side.
The momentum shifted decisively just minutes from full time. A looping cross struck the arm of Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, and after a lengthy VAR review, Malian referee Boubou Traore pointed to the penalty spot. Substitute Ali Abdi held his nerve, smashing the spot-kick into the net in the 87th minute to set up a grandstand finish. Tunisia poured forward in search of a miracle, and captain Ferjani Sassi came agonizingly close, his header flashing narrowly wide. In the dying seconds, Ismael Gharbi had a final chance but could only bobble a volley past the post, leaving Tunisia to rue what might have been.
Despite the defeat, the character shown in the final stages leaves Tunisia's knockout stage fate firmly in their own hands. Sami Trabelsi's side remains second in Group C with three points. A draw in their final group match against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression to the last 16, and the team will take great confidence from their resilient performance against one of the tournament favorites. The focus now turns to ensuring there is no repeat of 2013, when a group-stage exit led to the manager's resignation, by finishing the job against the East Africans.
