The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
