Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp 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 First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
