Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding 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 turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward 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 half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
