Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic 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 in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
