The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
