Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
