The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
