Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 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.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
