The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress 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 the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
