Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
