Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
