Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes 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 drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
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 initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
