Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
