Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly 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 disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
