The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny 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 past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
