Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
