Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage 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 three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing 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 prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
