Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia 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 half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
