Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
