Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring 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 powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
