The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
