The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
