Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance 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 meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
