Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance 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 pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle 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 affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
