The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman 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 pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
