Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
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 intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.