The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team 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 nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.