Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given 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 finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
