Nigeria’s Super Eagles produced a blistering first-half performance before surviving a dramatic late scare to beat Tunisia 3–2 in their Matchday 2 Group C clash at the Africa Cup of Nations, sealing an unassailable six-point lead and early qualification for the knockout stage.

The Super Eagles began the contest in supersonic fashion, overwhelming the Tunisians with pace, precision passing and relentless attacking intent. For more than 70 minutes, Nigeria looked every inch genuine AFCON title contenders as they raced into a commanding 3–0 lead.

Victor Osimhen was at the heart of Nigeria’s early dominance, forcing openings and stretching the Tunisian defence. He thought he had opened the scoring in the 17th minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Napoli striker, however, was not to be denied and finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, rising highest to head home Ademola Lookman’s deep cross for his first goal of the tournament.

Nigeria struck again within five minutes of the restart. Lookman, again the provider, swung in a teasing corner that captain Wilfred Ndidi powered home with a firm header to double the advantage. The Atalanta winger then capped his influential display by adding the third goal himself, finishing clinically off the post as Nigeria threatened to run away with the contest.

With just under 20 minutes remaining and Nigeria cruising at 3–0, the match appeared settled. But an innocuous free-kick routine handed Tunisia a lifeline when Montassar Talbi pulled a goal back, suddenly shifting the momentum.

The tension rose sharply in the 87th minute when Ali Abdi converted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 3–2. Tunisia surged forward in waves, piling pressure on a Nigerian side that began to show the defensive fragility that previously cost them a place at next summer’s World Cup.

Tunisia’s defender Ali Abdi scores a penalty in front of Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali [Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP]

Nigeria lived dangerously in the closing minutes, but they held their nerve and did just enough to see out the contest, securing three vital points and confirming their status as one of the early pace-setters at the tournament.

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Yohan Roche fired Benin to history on Saturday. His deflected strike sealed a 1-0 win over Botswana in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Roche exchanged passes with captain Steve Mounié, then shot from close range. A defender’s touch wrong-footed the keeper and sent Benin into dreamland.

It was their first victory at the finals after 16 attempts since debuting in 2004. They had five draws and 10 defeats before this moment, despite reaching the quarter-finals in 2019.

Botswana offered little threat. Mothusi Johnson clipped the bar with a curling free-kick, their best chance of the night. Benin could have added more, but Goitseone Phoko denied Tamimou Ouorou with a sharp low save. Dodo Dokou wasted a golden chance in stoppage time, blasting over from 12 yards.

The win lifts Benin to three points, level with Senegal and DR Congo. Those two sides met later in Tangier.

Botswana remain winless in the competition. They have now lost all five of their Cup of Nations matches, stretching back to their debut in 2012.

Next up: Benin face Senegal on Tuesday. Botswana take on DR Congo. The top two teams in each group, plus four best third-placed sides, advance to the Round of 16.

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• Summary

• Morocco’s 19-match winning streak ends with a 1-1 draw against Mali
• VAR reviews lead to penalties for both teams in the match
• Morocco lead Group A, but progress to next stage not secured yet

Hosts Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage.

Midfielder Brahim Diaz tucked away a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half but Mali equalised from the spot midway through the second half through Lassine Sinayoko.

Both penalties were awarded after VAR reviews in a tempestuous clash at the end of a busy day of action at the tournament.

Morocco top the Group A standings with four points while Zambia, who they meet next on Monday, have two points along with Mali while the Comoros are bottom of the group on a single point.

Comoros and Zambia drew 0-0 in Casablanca earlier on Friday.

Morocco had won a record 19 successive internationals ahead of the Boxing Day clash, but the draw brings that to an end and leaves them still looking unconvincing despite their status as runaway favourites.

They had come into the tournament under heavy expectation, and even if they did win their first game, they still looked nervy and were fortunate to win their penalty as the ball brushed the hand of defender Nathan Gassama as he was trying to get to his feet after Diaz’s dribbling had him tumble over.

The kick was only awarded after Cameroonian referee Abdou Mefire went to the pitchside screen, as was the case with Mali’s equaliser in the 64th minute, which Lassine Sinayoko tucked away under the diving body of Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

MALI STRIKER HACKED DOWN

Sinayoko had been hacked down by Morocco centre back Jawad El Yamiq, but the referee initially waved play on.

It was the first goal Morocco had conceded in their last 11 internationals.

The home side could have won it in the 78th minute when substitute Youssef En-Nesyri had time to turn and shoot, but his effort was well saved.

Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made an even better stop from his own defender Woyo Coulibaly’s backward header in the final action of the game.

Mali captain Yves Bissouma started the match for his second appearance of the season after having had ankle surgery two months ago and lasted 57 minutes before being substituted, but there was no game time for African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, whose return from injury is much anticipated in Morocco.

Earlier on Friday, Egypt became the first side into the last 16 when they defeated South Africa 1-0 in Agadir while the other Group B clash between Angola and Zimbabwe in Marrakech ended in a 1-1 draw.

-Reuters

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