Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles 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 knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended 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 third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
