The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.