Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
