The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
