The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents 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 clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
