The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying 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 pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans 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 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
