The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away 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.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
