Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
