Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
