The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check 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 came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
