The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
