The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
