ON TARGET: Nigeria star Victor Osimhen (R) celebrates scoring towards Tunisia with defender Vivid Osayi-Samuel. Picture: AFP
RABAT:
Star strikers Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mane scored on Saturday as Nigeria certified for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and Senegal edged nearer to becoming a member of them.
Osimhen opened the scoring for the Tremendous Eagles simply earlier than half-time, they usually constructed a three-goal lead earlier than surviving a late Tunisia rally to win 3-2 in Fes.
Victory ensured three-time champions Nigeria grew to become the second nation after document seven-time winners Egypt to safe a last-16 place.
Mane struck as Senegal got here from behind to attract 1-1 with the Democratic Republic in Tangiers, a consequence that saved each former African champions on track for the second spherical.
Osimhen was a continuing menace to the Tunisians as he scored his second AFCON aim, and first for the reason that opening spherical of the 2024 match.
A lot improved after a scrappy opening win over Tanzania, Nigeria misplaced momentum within the closing levels and Tunisia twice got here near equalising in added time.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, along with his first aim for the nationwide group, and Ademola Lookman have been the opposite Nigerian scorers earlier than Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi netted to arrange a tense climax.
Nigeria have six factors in Group C, Tunisia three and Tanzania and Uganda one every going into the ultimate spherical of video games on Tuesday.
Uganda’s Allan Okello missed a late penalty as his facet needed to accept a 1-1 draw towards neighbours Tanzania.
Uche Ikpeazu had scored a late equaliser for the Cranes in entrance of 10,540 followers at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
Earlier than that it seemed like Tanzania, winless in 10 earlier matches throughout 4 AFCON tournaments, may lastly break their duck when Simon Msuva put them in entrance from the penalty spot.In Tangiers, Cedric Bakambu gave DR Congo the lead simply after the hour mark, however Al Nassr ahead Mane replied quickly after and the consequence ensures Senegal keep high on aim distinction with one spherical to play.
“The consequence was a bit irritating. We might have killed the sport within the first half, however we did not,” mentioned Senegal coach Pape Thiaw.
Historic Benin victory
“What I actually appreciated was my gamers’ response after conceding – that was a very good factor. Subsequent time, we have to know learn how to shut out video games earlier.
“We’ll proceed to work on changing our possibilities into targets.”
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre mentioned: “We performed the match we wanted to play to compete towards the perfect group in Africa.
“I requested the gamers to remain united in all phases of the sport, each offensively and defensively. I’m happy that that is what they did.”
Benin lie one level behind Senegal and DR Congo in Group D after a 1-0 victory in Rabat towards Botswana, who’re backside with no level or a aim.
Defender Yohan Roche scored on 28 minutes to present Benin a primary AFCON win after 5 attracts and 10 losses in 5 appearances from their 2004 debut.
DR Congo have been in search of revenge after a dramatic defeat within the final assembly of the nations, in World Cup qualifying in September.
Senegal got here from 2-0 right down to win that encounter 3-2 in Kinshasa, a consequence which allowed them to go on and high their group to safe a spot at subsequent 12 months’s finals in North America.
DR Congo have been, subsequently, compelled to accept second place however can nonetheless make the World Cup in the event that they win a one-off play-off towards New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March.
Senegal, contemporary from beating Botswana 3-0 and seen as maybe the most important menace to Morocco’s possibilities of profitable the title on house soil, had extra possession and extra possibilities.
Nevertheless, the Leopards took the lead within the 61st minute when Theo Bongonda – scorer of the one aim of their opening win towards Benin – had a shot on the finish of a wonderful transfer parried by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Actual Betis striker Bakambu pounced to transform the free ball.
However Senegal have been solely behind for eight minutes, their equaliser coming after an outstanding run by teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye.
The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger, who was born in France and represented them as much as Below-20 stage, just lately dedicated his worldwide future to Senegal, for whom he qualifies by way of one among his mother and father.
He changed Ismaila Sarr simply after Bakambu’s opener, and made the leveller from a penetrating run down the appropriate.
Mbaye burst away from Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to injure himself going to sort out, after which noticed his shot blocked by Lionel Mpasi, however Mane was available to attain his tenth AFCON aim.
