The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
