Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident 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 fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
