The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
