The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross 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 in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
