Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead 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 Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
