The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt 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 encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
