The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
