Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress 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 pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty 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 finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort 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 power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
