Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
