The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
