Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly 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 on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
