Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
