Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman 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 initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.