The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
