The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
