The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed 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 one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
