Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
