Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
