Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback

Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

A Nervy Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement 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 advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.