Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
