The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
