Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
