Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance 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 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
