The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
