The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
