Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
