Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
