Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
