Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
