Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
