Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.