The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion 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, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
