The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
