Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow 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 Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting 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 conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
