The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
