Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either 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 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
