The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
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 escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
