The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.