The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
