The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move 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 team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager 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 effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
