The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
