Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
