Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed 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 either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt 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 morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
