The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite 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 dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
