The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
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 spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot 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 Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
