The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
