Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
