Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
