Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback

Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

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

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.