The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still 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 resulted in his departure.
