Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to 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 free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
