Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck 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.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
