The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
