The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt 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 straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
