The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.