Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second 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 seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
