Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm 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 fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
