Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding 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 advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 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 set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
