The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour 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, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
