The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria 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 cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw 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 the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
