Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes 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 drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header 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 thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
