Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally 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 Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 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 recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
