Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.