The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage 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, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
