Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
