Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents 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 clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, 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 tense affair.
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 far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.