The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
