Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 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 Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
