Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw 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 resulted in his previous resignation.
