Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation 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 last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
