The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, 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 nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
