Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
