The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes 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 turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
