The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
