Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post 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.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
