Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
