The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived 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 appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
