Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
