The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early 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 set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.