Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
