Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
