The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia 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 previous resignation.
