Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, 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 third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
