Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners 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 be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
