Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
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 the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
