The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining 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 recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.