Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia 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 pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
