Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
