The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead 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 recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
