The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
