The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
