Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to 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, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
