The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
