The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
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 left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
