The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria 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 seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
