Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, 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 nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
