Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 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 team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.