Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived 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 encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
