Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic 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 Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
