Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
