Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
