Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
