Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, 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 affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period 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, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
