Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
