Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
