By our football writer in Morocco
THE ancient city of Fez has seen many battles over the centuries, but rarely one as breathless as the five-goal thriller that rocked the Complexe Sportif de Fès last night.
In a stadium nestled within the heart of Morocco’s spiritual capital, the Super Eagles proved they are the true high-flyers of Group C, surviving a late Tunisian fightback to win 3-2 and book their spot in the AFCON knockouts.
The atmospheric Complexe Sportif de Fès—renowned for its intense, pressure-cooker environment—was the perfect stage for a heavyweight clash that felt more like a final than a group game.
Under the North African moon, the 24,000-seater arena became a sea of green and white, though the humid Mediterranean air favored the “home” region’s Carthage Eagles early on.
The deadlock was broken just before the interval in the 44th minute.
After a cagey opening, Victor Osimhen reminded the world why he’s Africa’s most feared marksman. Rising highest in the Fez air, he powered home a bullet header from an inch-perfect Ademola Lookman cross.
The stadium was still buzzing when the second half began, and Nigeria wasted no time doubling the delight.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi stomped through the Tunisian midfield like a man possessed, nodding home a corner in the 50th minute to make it 2-0.
When Ademola Lookman—the architect of Tunisia’s misery—jinked through the defense to slot home a third, the Nigerian fans in the stands were dancing in the Moroccan aisles. It looked like a Fes-tival of football was well and truly underway.
But the Tunisians didn’t travel across the Maghreb to lie down. Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a glancing header in the 74th minute, silencing the Super Eagles’ drums.
The tension in the stadium reached boiling point when a VAR review gifted Tunisia a penalty for handball in the 87th minute.
Ali Abdi coolly converted, setting up a frantic, nail-biting finale that had the Fes crowd on the edge of their seats.
Nigeria stood firm, however, weathering a late storm of Tunisian long balls to secure a famous win.
As the final whistle echoed across the ancient city, the Super Eagles emerged victorious, proving that when it comes to the big stage, they’ve got the Fez-factor.
