Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour 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, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
