The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.