The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
