Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.