Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city 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
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
