The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball 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 last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
