Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
