The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
