The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR 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 last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly 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 ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half 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 goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
