The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon 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 set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
