The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort 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 thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
