The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 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 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
