The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 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, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.