Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback

Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the upright.

Securing Top Spot

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.

The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.

The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.

Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.