The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match 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, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner 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 his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit 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.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
