Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit 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 spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
