Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi 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, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.