Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for 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 morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
