Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance 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, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
