Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before 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 referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
