The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
