Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
