Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
