The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, 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 his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
