Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes 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 Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
