The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
