The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
