The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
