Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.