Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
