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Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident 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.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
Kim Ramirez
A passionate golfer and journalist with over a decade of experience covering PGA tours and equipment innovations.
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