Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
