Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. 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 equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six 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 side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
