Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, 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 nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
