The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
