The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured 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 one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
