Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered 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 the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal 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 Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
