Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.