Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
