Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
