Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
