Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
