The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes 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 set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
