Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi 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 captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
