Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining 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 turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
