Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters 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 effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.