Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
