Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
