Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied 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 play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
