The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
