Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt 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 in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
