The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
