The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation 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 comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
