The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
