The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
