Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.