Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.