Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
