The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
