Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
