Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
