Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen 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 key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
